Final Scratch Project

http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/23684887/#player

 This project was very frustrating. In my game, the astronaut is lost in space and he needs to find his spaceship. However, the aliens keep on getting in the way of the spaceship. Guide the astronaut with your mouse to destroy the aliens. If you see the spaceship appear, guide the astronaut with your mouse to spaceship in order to go to the next level. There are a total of three levels. As the levels progress, more aliens appear. The first level would always work but then sometimes it would skip over the second level and go straight to the third level. Or it would go from the first level to the second level. Then sometimes the game would work perfectly! But then the next time I tried it, something would go wrong! In order to get to the third level, you have to hold the astronaut over the spaceship for a few seconds during the second level. I could not figure out why this was or how to change it, so that the background changed immediatly after the astronaut touched the spaceship

I started the process by looking at the different backgrounds. I noticed that there was a category of backgrounds called "space." That category inspired my game idea. As I progressed with the game, I had to do a lot of trial and error. I had to constantly click the green flag to see if my game worked and if it did not work, I looked at what part of the game went wrong. I then looked at the script to see if I could debug it.

Final Scratch Project Purpose

In, level one I will be using a mouse sensor to make a astronaut eat some aliens. The first background will be the moon. As the astronaut eats the aliens, the aliens will continue to appear. As the levels progress, backgrounds will change and the tasks will become more difficult with obstacles. Also, as the levels progress, the aliens and astronaut will get smaller because it will be harder for the astronauts to get the aliens they are small. So far, I have had a few issues. For instance, the aliens all bunch up and stay in the same place, making it extremely easy for the astronaut to eat them. The astronaut has to get a score of 15 in order to move on to the next level.

Interactions #7

Whenever you click on the background, a flower appears at that spot.

Debug It Week 2

Debug 2.1
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/23545698/

Debug 2.2:
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/23546051/

Debug 2.3
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/23546228/

Debug 2.4
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/23546610/

Debug 2.5
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/23546671/

One debugging strategy that I used was looking closely at the script to see if I was able to identify the problem.  If I could not identify the problem by just looking at the script then I played around with the script.

I would help someone else learn how to debug a project by showing them by debugging strategies. 

Interactions #1

Whenever you press the B key, the sprite gets a little bigger. Whenever you press the S key, the sprite gets a little smaller.

Backdrop Changes

The Stage and sprites share some common characteristics. They both have scripts that can change the looks, sound, control, etc. You initialize sprites in a scene by using the "when green flag is clicked" block. The other types of projects, beyond animations, that you would use scene projects include movies or short films. After reviewing 5 classmates' posts for this project, I noticed that they use backdrops to change the scene.

Conversation #2

Conversation- Remix of "Penguin Joke"

In this activity, I remixed the "Penguin Joke" scratch.  Initially, the script was animated using wait blocks.  I then changed it, it uses broadcast, broadcast and wait and receive blocks to coordinate the conversation.  Broadcast is a tool that says the dialogue and allows the sprites to have a conversation.  You would use timing in a project to time movements.  You would use Broadcast in a project to time conversations.   

Make a Block

http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/23131109/ 

"Make a Block" is a tool in Scratch that allows the maker to design a script and then place the script under one block. Therefore, instead of the script being a bunch of little blocks, it is all in one block.  You might use "Make a Block" is you want to stay organized.  "Make a Block" is a useful and helpful tool that I plan on using. The video we watched with MJ was very helpful. 

Debugging

Debug It 1:
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/22923886/

Debug It 2:
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/22924223/

Debug It 3:
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/22924314/

Debug It 4:
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/22924460/

Debug It 5:
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/22924791/

Debugging Strategy:
play around with the script and pay attention to detail

How to help someone learn how to debug a project:
1) Determine the problem with the project
2) Trial and Error
3) Pay attention to detail
4) Do not get frustrated

10 Blocks Challenge

http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/22868215/

This activity helped me learn Scratch because I was able to experiment with different blocks in order to get the sprite to move.  The 10 block restraint did not impact my ideas. 

Day 1 of Scratch: Reflection

http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/22810750/

What was most surprising about the activity?
I was surprised by how easy the activity was.

How did it feel to be led step by step through the activity?
I enjoyed being led step by step. It was very helpful.

As a learner:
When do you like having more structure?
I like to have more structure when I am starting something new that I am not completely comfortable with.

When do you like having more freedom?
I like having more freedom when I feel comfortable and I know how to do the activity without guidance.

When do you feel most creative?
I feel most creative when I am not following a tutorial or example and I am creating the activity based off of my own thoughts and opinions.

Webpage

Beagle Mania

Background

Welcome to Beagle Mania. This website is designed to inform people about man's best friend: the dog. Although there are a variety of dog breeds, Beagles are the best kind of dog. Therefore, they deserve a whole website devoted to them.

About Me

Hi! My name is Liz. I am the designer, creator, and owner of this website. I am verified to run this website and the information is accurate because I have been a loyal Beagle owner for over six years.

A Beagle Howling

The Most Famous Beagle

About the Beagle

Beagles are a small sturdy hound of a breed with a coat of medium length, bred especially for hunting. They are usually tri-colored (black, white, and tan). Their droopy ears add charcter. They usually weight between 20-25 pounds and they live for 12-15 years.

Beagles are notorious overeaters. Their strong sense of smell enables them to find food no matter how carefully it’s stashed away. Get between a beagle and its food at your own risk. A regular amount of exercise is a must for beagles, or they will quickly become obese. Despite their penchant for food, they don’t drool like many other breeds.

"

Benefits of Owning a Beagle

• You will never be lonely
• Helps you lose weight because of the walks
• Beagles do not care if you are rich or poor, fat or skinny, smart or stupid
• Medium Sized dog

HTML 5

Spring

The weather is finally feeling like Spring. It is so nice out.

Effects of Spring

As a result of the nice weather, many students do not want to do school work anymore.

• Rain
• Flowers
• Sunshine

1. Spring
2. Summer
3. Fall
4. Winter

A Colorful Spring Garden

HTML 4

About The Beach

The beach is a pebbly or sandy shore, especially by the ocean between high- and low-water marks.

What to Wear to the Beach

People should wear bathing suits.

What to bring to the beach

It is recommended that people bring lots of sunscreen lotion, food, and water to stay hydrated.

• sun
• swim
• sand

1. ocean
2. surf
3. waves

BUS #571

The Beach

BUS #512

The ocean

BUS #521

The sand

The Beach
Another picture of the beach
The beach is beautiful

HTML 3

The Beach

The Beach is a great place to visit during the summer. You can swim in the ocean, walk on the sand and tan in the sun.

The Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory is a great restaurant. They have the best cheesecake in the world.

Disney World

Disney World is a magical place where dreams come true.

HTML 2

About Me

Hi! My name is Liz! I am a student here at RMHS!

My Background

This is my 10th year of being a student. It is a stressful occupation.

Courses I Take

I take Computer Applications, Algebra, Chemistry, History, Spanish and English

Liz
All Departments
Reading Memorial High School

HTML 1

About My Dog

My dog's name is Maggy. She is a beagle.

She is six years old.

Edline Webpage Remixed

Changes Made:
1.Homepage Picture
2. Caption under the Picture
3. News
4. left side guides
5. puppy picture on top

Postcard

https://etrauger555.makes.org/thimble/NzE3ODgxMzQ0/postcard

Movie Poster

https://etrauger555.makes.org/thimble/MjAwOTQ2NDgzMg==/movie-poster

Mozilla Webmaker

Mozilla Webmaker was a really interesting experience.  I would not be surprised if I found myself using this website for a school project one day.  It does not really feel like hacking, but I have never actually hacked something so I do not know what hacking feels like.  I sometimes had trouble being creative and thinking of my own ideas.  But overall, I am really glad that I was introduced to this cool website. 

Webpages

My favorite type of webpages to visit are about entertainment and the news.  I like to be current with the news and read all of the updates.   I am thinking of creating a webpage on current events.  

Excel

I have not had that much experience with excel before, so this lesson was very helpful.   I feel like I understand how to use excel much better; but I do not know how much I will actually use it in my future.  

Is Eliza Human?

Eliza is difficult to program.  The directions were not very clear or helpful.  However, I did find it interesting to learn how Eliza works.  When I first had a conversation with her, I was really frustrated and I constantly referred to her as a "stupid program"  The coding helped me understand that it is not Eliza's fault that she is incapable of carrying on a conversation; because she is, after all, just a coding system, not a human. 

Codes

Angry Birds: The Angry Birds code program was frustrating. Every time I messed up, I had to restart. It was kind of hard for me and sometimes confusing. As the levels progressed they got harder. Angry Birds was my first experience with coding. Tynker: The Tynker coding program was very similar to the Angry Bird's program. I played the Puppy Adventure game on Tynker. It was entertaining and I enjoyed this program more than the Angry Bird's program. Lightbot: The Lightbot coding program was by far the most enjoyable. Due to my past experiences with programing with Angry Birds and Tynker, Lightbot was not as confusimg or hard. Although I would proably not play these games in my free time, I enjoyed the experience with coding.

Bead Loom Name

Computer Buying Project

The process of choosing a computer is not easy or quick. One has to consider the cost, brand and other factors of the computer. After completing the Computer Buying Prject, I arrived at the conclusion that the MacBook Air is the best choice for me. Even though the 13 inch laptop is expensive, costing $1,099, it is well worth its price. The MacBook Air lasts up to an incredible 12 hours of battery life and the fourth-generation Intel Core processors cause everything to move ultrafast. Additionally, the laptop has a sleek interior, features up to 8GB of superfast, power-efficient 1600MHz memory, and comes with 22 built in apps. It is evident that the MacBook Air is the right computer to choose.

Benefits from the Power Searching with Google Classes

I will benefit from the Power Searching with Google classes in the following ways:

1.)  My family is planning an upcoming vacation.  Now that I efficiently know how to use Google and all of its tools, I can help research and plan the trip.

2) On my history projects, I have to write many primary source analyses on pictures.  Now that I am aware that I can drag an image in the Google Image and it will give you information, it will make writing the analysis much easier.  I will also be able to check the credibility of the website.     

Power Searching with Google

In the "Power Searching with Google" classes, I have learned many new helpful tricks that I plan on using to my advantage.   In class one I learned how to use color filtering and how to find text on a page.  Color filtering narrows your image results to images made primarily of a certain color.  The color box is located in the left panel.  This tool is beneficial and I plan on using it when I am searching for an image of a specific color.  Additionally, in class one I learned how to find text on a page.  On Windows computers, you press the control and F keys at the same time.  On Apple computers, you press the command and F keys at the same time.  This tool is also very helpful and I will use it when I am doing a research project for school.  

In class two I learned how to quickly find a definition of a word and how to filter results by different categories.  To find a definition of a word, you simply do a search query of  [define: unknown word].  This tool will save me a lot of time because it is quick and efficient.  On the left panel of the search result's page,  I can filter results by different categories.  These categories include blogs, discussions, recipes, patents, books, 3D models, scholarly sources, and legal documents.  This tool will help me narrow down my results and find exactly what I am looking for.

In class three I learned how to remove invasive results and how to use the intext operator.  To eliminate irrelevant results, you have to use the minus sign (-).  There must be a space before the minus sign, but there is no space between the minus sign and the word you want to eliminate.  The intext operator is used when you want to make sure that a term appears specifically in the text you can see on a page.  Both the minus sign and the intext operator are very valuable tools that I will use when I am searching for specific results.  The "Power Searching with Google" classes taught me many useful tips and tricks.  

Monstrous Midterms

For a student, the announcement of an upcoming exam is repulsive.  However, five exams in one week, each two hours long, is even more nauseating.  The school district magnanimously places midterms after Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  Thus the students have three entire days to lock themselves in their room beforehand and prepare for the exams, which is every student's dream.  Students anxiously review their notes from the last five months, resulting in an abundant amount of stress thrust upon the students.  They even skip their extracurricular activities in order to cram in more time for studying.  Then midterm week arrives.  Teachers lock the students in a room for two hours and force them to shade in one hundred bubbles with a number two pencil.  After the students finish, they have a one hour break until the next exam begins. During this break, the cafeteria is filled with scared students whom nervously nibbles at their lunches.  The students then report to their next classroom to shade in some more bubbles.  The students repeat this process for the next three days.  At the end of midterm week, all the stress and anxiety vanishes and there is such great relief because the monstrous midterms have finally been slayed.